Trump Russia gambit could backfire

In this June 21, 2017 file photo, special counsel Robert Mueller departs after a closed-door meeting with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about Russian meddling in the election and possible connection to the Trump campaign, on Capitol Hill in Washington. In populist tones, President Donald Trump is trying to turn the investigation into his campaign's ties to Russia into a rallying cry, labeling it as an existential threat to the loyal base that fueled his surprise 2016 election triumph.

Danielle McLaughlin: Ardern kid questions reminder of unequal road for Clinton

OPINION: In an episode to be filed under "inappropriate questions heard around the world", The New York Times late this week reported on the handful of Kiwi journalists asking new Labour leader Jacinda Ardern about balancing career and family. But the questions directed at her this week sent a shiver down the spine of many politics watchers, including those of us in the US who observed, with anger, the utterly sexist attacks against Hillary Clinton from opponents and the press.

James Comey is writing a book – and we know he’s been keeping thorough notes

The former FBI director just signed a deal with publisher Flatiron Books for his first book, a not-yet-titled exploration of "what good, ethical leadership looks like and how it drives sound decisions," a news release says. "Using examples from some of the highest-stakes situations in the past two decades of American government, Comey will share yet-unheard anecdotes from his long and distinguished career," Flatiron, a division of Macmillan, said in the release.

Adviser denies any role in fake news story about murdered DNC staffer

The private investigator Ed Butowsky hired to look into the murder of Seth Rich is now suing him and Fox News for defamation Outspoken financial adviser Ed Butowsky, who earlier this week found himself at the center of a bombshell lawsuit alleging he was directly involved in concocting a phony news story about a murdered Democratic National Committee staffer, said in an interview Friday afternoon that those claims are false. "I didn't make up any story," said Mr. Butowsky, who is managing director of Chapwood Investments and speaks frequently at industry congerences.

5 things for Friday, August 4: Russia probe, Trump, gun sales, Harvard diversity

There's A LOT going on, so let's get straight to what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door . Federal investigators exploring whether Donald Trump's campaign colluded with Russians have seized on Trump and his associates' financial ties to Russia as one of the most fertile avenues for moving their probe forward, according to people familiar with the investigation.

Timeline of Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting revelations

New revelations about Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer have rocketed the president's eldest son to the center of allegations of collusion with Russia. Here's a look back at the steady drip of disclosures and shifting statements from Trump Jr. and others involved -- which has triggered a mounting list of questions.

Battersea Dogs Home reveals longest-staying dogs

Dubai's record-breaking 1,100ft Torch Tower 'full of expats' bursts into giant flames in chilling echo of London's Grenfell disaster Two teens kidnapped and murdered in Colorado Springs were 'executed' at side of road by gang who accused the girl, 15, of stealing a purse at a house party, gruesome new details reveal Cops arrest suspected 'stun gun' rapist believed to be behind six sex attacks on joggers in NYC park thanks to DNA breakthrough Robert Mueller impanels grand jury to probe Trump-Russia collusion claims - and it issues SUBPOENAS over Don Jr.'s meeting with Putin allies for Hillary Clinton dirt 'Totally made up Russia story': Trump maintains the Democrats are stoking Russian allegations at Huntington rally where Democratic governor of West Virginia confirms he is switching sides to become Republican Vanity Fair stands by its cover story describing child casting 'game' used for ... (more)

United States: Grand jury issues subpoenas in connection with Donald…

A grand jury has issued subpoenas in connection with a June 2016 meeting that included President Donald Trump's son, his son-in-law and a Russian lawyer, two sources said on Thursday, signalling an investigation is gathering pace into suspected Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. The sources added that US Special Counsel Robert Mueller had convened the grand jury investigation in Washington to help examine allegations of Russian interference in the vote.

How does Jack die? Answer coming in ‘This Is Us’ season 2

Dan Fogelman, creator of NBC's time-shifting hit drama series, said the circumstances about the death of doting family man Jack will be part of the show's sophomore season that begins Sept. 26. "If that is a question that is haunting people, in the course of the second season" they'll get the answers they need and more, Fogelman told reporters Thursday, surrounded by the show's ensemble cast including Milo Ventimiglia, who plays Jack.

DOJ redacts talking points paper from Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting

The infamous meeting on the tarmac of the Phoenix airport between former President Bill Clinton and then Attorney General Loretta Lynch has been the subject of speculation since it became public during the 2016 campaign. Judicial Watch made several Freedom of Information Act requests for documents related to the meeting.

Report: Mueller launches grand jury in Russia investigation

Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller has launched a grand jury in his investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 election, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Citing unnamed people familiar with the matter, the Journal said Mueller had impaneled the grand jury in Washington, where his team of investigators continue to look into whether President Donald Trump or any of his campaign associates colluded with Russia during the presidential contest.

Dem Gov of WV becomes Republican as Trump flies in

Girl whose texts drove her boyfriend, 18, to suicide is JAILED: Michelle Carter given 15 months after the victim's father said she 'exploited his son's weaknesses and used him as a pawn' BREAKING NEWS: Robert Mueller empanels grand jury to probe Trump-Russia collusion claims - and it issues SUBPOENAS over Don Jr.'s meeting with Putin allies for Hillary Clinton dirt EXCLUSIVE: Luann de Lesseps caught Tom D'Agostino cheating TWICE and announced divorce days after her husband of seven months ditched her to meet up with his ex in the Hamptons Female pedophile who was a strip club waitress and former dominatrix said she was 'excited' about meeting 'attractive' Brit couple who livestreamed themselves abusing a child Top secret memo reveals CIA believed John F Kennedy assassination was payback for US attempts to kill Fidel Catsro and details Lee Harvey Oswald pre-shooting visit to Cuban embassy ... (more)

Your Opinion: Trump undermines voter integrity

The United States of America allows for people who are registered voters to vote for a specific candidate without fear of being thrown in prison because of our choice. It means that we can choose to vote or not vote regardless of our race, religion, without fear of losing our job, without our income becoming the deciding factor of whether or not our vote should count, and that we don't have to tell anyone how we voted unless we choose to do so.

Senators move to protect special counsel in Russia probe

Two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are moving to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller's job, putting forth new legislation that aims to ensure the integrity of current and future independent investigations. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware plan to introduce the legislation Thursday.

No lie, says Sanders: Trump got praise from Mexico, Scouts

Two phone calls described by President Donald Trump that didn't actually happen represent the latest chapter in a long-running series of disputes revolving around the president's rocky relationship with facts. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Wednesday found herself explaining that compliments Trump had described receiving in phone calls from the Mexican president and the Boy Scouts did happen - just not on the phone.